Pakistan: US suspends $800m of military aid

[Modbert]

BBC News - Pakistan: US suspends $800m of military aid

The US says it is withholding some $800m in military aid to Pakistan.

White House Chief of Staff Bill Daley told ABC television that Pakistan had "taken some steps that have given us reason to pause on some of the aid".

He said the US raid that killed Osama Bin Laden in May had affected ties but he insisted the relationship "must be made to work over time".

The $800m (£500m) equates to about a third of the annual US security aid to Pakistan, US officials say.

He added: "It's a complicated relationship in a very difficult, complicated part of the world. Obviously, there's still lot of pain that the political system in Pakistan is feeling by virtue of the raid that we did to get Osama Bin Laden, something that the president felt strongly about and we have no regrets over.

US drone attacks have caused anger among many in Pakistan
"Until we get through these difficulties, we will hold back some of the money that the American taxpayers have committed to give them."

Good.

 

[Kuros]

Progress.

Next up: suspend $800million of aid to Israel.

 

[WillowTree]

BBC News - Pakistan: US suspends $800m of military aid

The US says it is withholding some $800m in military aid to Pakistan.

White House Chief of Staff Bill Daley told ABC television that Pakistan had "taken some steps that have given us reason to pause on some of the aid".

He said the US raid that killed Osama Bin Laden in May had affected ties but he insisted the relationship "must be made to work over time".

The $800m (£500m) equates to about a third of the annual US security aid to Pakistan, US officials say.

He added: "It's a complicated relationship in a very difficult, complicated part of the world. Obviously, there's still lot of pain that the political system in Pakistan is feeling by virtue of the raid that we did to get Osama Bin Laden, something that the president felt strongly about and we have no regrets over.

US drone attacks have caused anger among many in Pakistan
"Until we get through these difficulties, we will hold back some of the money that the American taxpayers have committed to give them."

Good.

why didn't they cut all 2 billion?

 

[kaz]

Progress.

Next up: suspend $800million of aid to Israel.

Agreed on both counts, the Federal government should give no foreign aid. Only the people should give their own money to where they want it to go. As for me, I would donate to Israel but not Pakistan, but I still don't want money confiscated and given to Israel.

 

[waltky]

Uncle Ferd says mebbe we'd be better off if we just got it over with an' nuked `em...

Analysts: Suspension of Aid to Pakistan Could be Risky
July 11, 2011 - The Obama administration has said it will suspend hundreds of millions of dollars in military aid and reimbursements to Pakistan. The move is widely seen as reflecting a high level of frustration in Washington with the Pakistani government. It is also a highly risky step to take against a government that is a key ally in a war.

Government-to-government disputes between friendly governments usually take place in private and are smoothed over in public. So the Obama administration’s decision to hold back some $800 million in U.S. military assistance is a highly unusual display of Washington’s diplomatic displeasure with Islamabad. Former State Department policy planner Daniel Markey, now with the Council on Foreign Relations, says the move reflects a downward trajectory in U.S.-Pakistan relations. "It’s definitely a sign that the relationship is spiraling downwards, and I think it’s a ratcheting up of the pressure from Washington," said Markey. "But I don’t think it’s a significant enough ratcheting up to actually turn a corner in a constructive way. If anything, it looks more like frustration and venting, which may contribute to a further spiraling downward."

Total U.S. aid to Pakistan last year came to about $4.5 billion, about half of which went to the military. Daniel Markey says the administration probably acted in anticipation of some kind of move by Congress, where sentiment to curtail aid to Pakistan has been growing. "The U.S. has been frustrated and has felt that Pakistan has not turned a positive corner - that, if anything, relations from the Pakistani side have gotten more negative," he said. "And so I gather that in response to that - and perhaps in anticipation that the U.S. Congress would cut assistance if the administration did not - the Obama administration has decided, as they put it, to postpone the delivery of monies, some of which the Pakistanis believe they deserve because they’ve already conducted operations and used that money."

But Professor Larry Goodson of the U.S. Army War College says it is a gamble to hold back aid to Islamabad since most of the supplies for U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan move by land routes through Pakistan. "It is an extremely big risk to take. In my judgment, it’s extremely dangerous to tell the person who has his hands around your throat, ‘don’t squeeze, or I’ll get really angry with you.’ The truth is, they control the supply lines," said Goodson. "And in the past, we have seen clear indicators when they have been unhappy with us, there have been attacks on the supply lines."

The U.S. has complained that Pakistan has not done enough to eradicate militant sanctuaries along the Afghan border and has demanded more cooperation from the Pakistani military and intelligence services. But U.S. officials privately voice concern about sharing intelligence with Pakistan for fear it will be leaked to militants. The Pakistani government, and in particular the powerful military, was embarrassed and upset that they were not informed in advance of the U.S. raid on a compound in the Pakistani city of Abbottabad where Osama bin Laden was found and killed.

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[CitizenPained]

At least the US benefits from Israel's technology and intel. It's more of a payoff for making Israel the Police of the Middle East + coordinating on technology and weapons and medical developments.

Anyway.

I've hated our relationship with Pakistan ever since 9/11. Well, moreso. Pakistan is a breeding camp for terrorists...but we wanted their airspace.

 

[Samson]

At least the US benefits from Israel's technology and intel. .

Like what?

 

[Sallow]

At least the US benefits from Israel's technology and intel. It's more of a payoff for making Israel the Police of the Middle East + coordinating on technology and weapons and medical developments.
Anyway.

I've hated our relationship with Pakistan ever since 9/11. Well, moreso. Pakistan is a breeding camp for terrorists...but we wanted their airspace.

No they don't. It's quite the opposite. The US is constantly getting spied on by Israel and they steal technology from us. That..and Israel actually kills US Military and citizens. They cause all sorts of problems in the Middle East. Israel is a nasty little country that has no compulsion whatsoever to deal with it's neighbors. Why? Because their military is funded by the US. They are far from "the police" of the Middle East. They are more the "Snotty little brat" we constantly have to protect.

 

[Sallow]

I'm glad the Pakis are getting sent packin'.

 

[Anachronism]

That's a nice start.

Now start cutting off ALL foreign aid, military and otherwise, to all countries; bring out combat and non-combat troops home from everywhere outside our borders; and kick all the foreigners out of our country (this includes those whose primary allegiance is to a religion instead of to this country).

 

[Samson]

I'm glad the Pakis are getting sent packin'.

They might join the Soviet Bloc.....




Nevermind.

 

[Samson]

That's a nice start.

Now start cutting off ALL foreign aid, military and otherwise, to all countries; bring out combat and non-combat troops home from everywhere outside our borders; and kick all the foreigners out of our country (this includes those whose primary allegiance is to a religion instead of to this country).

You mean Catholics?

 

[CitizenPained]

Hate to break it to you, but everyone spies. Hell, we were caught spying in DENMARK.

They don't "steal" our technology. And we wouldn't support Israel if it weren't politically expedient. 2 per cent of America's population does not control our foreign policy.

If you want to back up your claims from reputable sources, you're more than welcome to.

If Israel wasn't in the ME, we'd have an increased presence. Israel turned its back on its socialist roots under US pressure, and now we're ideological bedmates. Awkward ones at first, but any military analyst or contractor could tell you the wealth of info that Israelis share. Medical, satellite, weapons, anti-missile, bla bla bla.

Not to mention the intelligence.

 

[CitizenPained]

That's a nice start.

Now start cutting off ALL foreign aid, military and otherwise, to all countries; bring out combat and non-combat troops home from everywhere outside our borders; and kick all the foreigners out of our country (this includes those whose primary allegiance is to a religion instead of to this country).

You mean Catholics?

 

[Anachronism]

You mean Catholics?

I mean ANYONE, of ANY Denomination who places a higher regard on their religion than they do on their US Citizenship. Christian, Hebrew, Islamic, Budhist, etc.... makes no difference. If your loyalty to the US is even slightly in question, you need to be gone from here.

 

[CitizenPained]

I think your aversion and hatred of the US government puts your loyalty into question.

 

[Anachronism]

Hate to break it to you, but everyone spies. Hell, we were caught spying in DENMARK.

As we should be. We have no true allies outside of our own borders, nor should we expect to. Everyone who is not an American should be treated with suspicion and questioning of their loyalties. It's that simple.

 

[ekrem]

Ever since the US pressured Pakistan to let Bhutto back into Pakistan and the political system, Pakistan is in chaos.
US knew, that with Musharraf there is no political authority in Pakistan to allow the USA to fly drone and spy missions into Pakistan without consequences.

The civilian death toll in Pakistan caused by the conflict of NATO in Afghanistan has reached 36.000 civilians.
Fatalities in Terrorist Violence in Pakistan 2003-2011

Pakistan is a poor country, was hit by major natural disasters in the last decade and needs every money it can get. Nevertheless, no 800 Million $, not even 800 Billion $ is worth getting humiliated and pushed around.

 

[CitizenPained]

Hate to break it to you, but everyone spies. Hell, we were caught spying in DENMARK.

As we should be. We have no true allies outside of our own borders, nor should we expect to. Everyone who is not an American should be treated with suspicion and questioning of their loyalties. It's that simple.

 

[Anachronism]

I think your aversion and hatred of the US government puts your loyalty into question.

I figured one of you would come up with something like that. There's only one problem..... The United States has not had a legitimate government since the election of Abraham Lincoln more than a century and a half ago. This Government deserves no loyalty. This COUNTRY (that is, the ideals on which this nation was founded) are what deserve the loyalty. In this case, aversion to the current government IS Loyalty to the Nation; just as it was for all those boys in chestnut and grey one hundred and fifty years ago.